Method and apparatus for laying railroad ties on a prepared road surface

ABSTRACT

A method and means are disclosed for dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface from a moving vehicle. Bundles of ties are placed in the input end of the tie laying vehicle and conveyed to a breaking station where the rows of ties making up the bundle are separated into individual ties and conveyed in sequence along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station. The ties have predrilled holes therein in the positions where the spikes are normally set in place. Tie plates having a requisite number of spikes associated therewith are conveyed along a second flow path to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and setting station the ties are aligned in position relative to the spikes extending through the tie plates, and the spikes set into place. The ties with their associated spikes are then conveyed to a pressing station where the outer spikes are completely inserted in the railroad ties. The ties are then discharged at spaced intervals along the prepared roadbed in position for laying rails thereon.

United States Patent Fearon et al.

[ 0ct.3l, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING RAILROAD TIES ON A PREPARED ROAD SURFACE [72] Inventors: Joseph G. Fear-on; George Monte Gilbert Battermann, both of Libby, Mont.

[73] Assignee: Morrison-Knudsen Company, Inc.,

Boise, Idaho [22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1971 [2]] App]. No.2 114,808

[52] 11.8. Cl ..l04/6, 104/] R, 104/16 [51] Int. Cl ..E0lb 29/32, EOlb 29/06 [58] Field oi Search ..l04/4, 5, 6, 2, 9, 16; 254/43 [56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 832,334 l0/l906 McConnell ..l04/l6 2,930,328 3/1960 Talboys ..l04/l6 3,504,635 4/1970 Stewart i04/l2 3,589,298 6/1971 Plasser et al ..l04/l2 3,628,461 12/1971 Plasser et a1. ..l04/l7 R Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch AttorneySeed, Berry & Dowrey [5 7 ABSTRACT A method and means are disclosed for dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface from a moving vehicle. Bundles of ties are placed in the input end of the tie laying vehi cle and conveyed to a breaking station where the rows of ties making up the bundle are separated into individual ties and conveyed in sequence along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station. The ties have predrilled holes therein in the posi tions where the spikes are normally set in place Tie plates having a requisite number of spikes associated therewith are conveyed along a second flow path to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and setting station the ties are aligned in position relative to the spikes extending through the tie plates, and the spikes set into place. The ties with their associated spikes are then conveyed to a pressing station where the outer spikes are completely inserted in the railroad ties. The ties are then discharged at spaced intervals along the prepared roadbed in position for laying rails thereon.

11 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures ATENTEU nor 3 1 1912 SHEET UlUF 10 INVENTORS JOSEPH G. FEARON GEORGE MG. BATTERMANN BY? g" ATTORNEYS PATENTEU 0U 31 I972 SHEET 02 0F 10 INVENTORS JOSEPH G. FEARON GEORGE M. G.

BATTER MAN N ATTORNEYS rl'mfltflacm m2 3.701.320

SHEET 03 DF 10 FIG. 6

INVENTORS JOSEPH G- FEARON GEggfiE M. G. BATTERMANN ATTORNEYS mmiflncral nan SHEET OR 0F 10 INVENTORS JOSEPH G. FEARON GEORGE MG. BATTERMANN BY L ATTORNEYS PATENTED BI l9?! 3.701.320 SHEET 05 0F 10 INVENTORS JOSEPH 6. FEARON GEO Q GE H.6- BATTERMANN ATTORNEYS PATENTED B 31 12 8. 701. 320 sum 0 7 HF 10 JOSEPH G. FEARON GEORGE MG. BATTERMANN ATTORNEYS PRTENTEMMI 9 2 3.701. 320

SHEET 08 [1F 10 INVENTORS JOSEPH G. FEARON GEORGE M. 6. BATTERMANN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDUBI 31 I972 SHEET USDF 10 mm QE A mwImDm M402 3m EARN, 3w 3 8 38' J OON I w m m J 1/ J In K 0: nmhun "NH 58 Fl. Wu MON NON n a Xm r N 3 mobfiom M3023 N N O m mR 0 T a. T M M un. Q PM E OW E 6 ON NON 0: OwN I I EO U ZOO METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING RAILROAD TIES ON A PREPARED ROAD SURFACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention This invention relates to a method of dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface and to means for accomplishing such.

2. Prior Art Relating to the Disclosure Laying of railroad ties along a prepared roadbed preparatory to laying new rails thereon has generally been a manual operation. In the past bundles of ties have been layed at spaced intervals along the prepared roadbed. The bundles are broken and manually positioned along the roadbed surface at predetermined intervals. At the same time the bundles of ties are dispensed along the roadbed surface bundles of plates and spikes are also dispensed. The plates and spikes are unbundled and the plates manually placed in the correct positions on the rail ties and spikes driven into the ties to hold the plates in place on the ties. Not only is this manual process expensive because of the number of laborers needed to carry out the operation and the high cost of manual labor, but the process is also slow and inefficient. There is no means known for economically and practically automating the process of laying railroad ties having tie plates and spikes associated therewith along a prepared roadbed surface in ready position for laying of rails thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method of dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface and to means of accomplishing such from a moving vehicle. A bundle of ties is conveyed by a first conveyor from the input end of the vehicle to a bundle breaking station where the bundle is rotated to an angle less than 90 and greater than 45. Each bundle of ties is made up of a number of rows of ties stacked in vertical relation. Bundle breaking means adjacent the bundle rotating means dislodges a row of ties at a time, allowing the dislodged ties to fall onto a second conveyor wherein they are conveyed along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station. Tie stop means are included along the second conveyor for feeding single ties in sequence along the first flow path to the tie place receiving and spike setting station in a predetermined spaced apart relation. Tie plates having a requisite number of spikes associated therewith are fed along a second flow path to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and spike setting station the ties are aligned for positioning of the tie plates thereon and setting of the tie spikes therein. The ties with their associated tie plates and spikes are then discharged and conveyed to a press section where the outer spikes are driven substantially into place. The ties are then discharged from the vehicle along the prepared roadbed in spaced position for laying of rails thereon.

The primary purposes of this invention are to provide a method and means of laying railroad ties which (l) is more efiicient, (2) is less costly, (3) is substantially automated, thus dispensing with a large amount of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall side elevational view of the vehicle for dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the operations taking place in the tie laying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the bundle rotating means in its lowered position;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bundle rotating means in "UP" position having a bundle of ties positioned thereon and bundle pusher means for aiding in dislodging one row of ties at a time from the bundle rotating means;

FIG. 5 is an expanded partial cross sectional view along section line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the second conveyor and tie rotating and stop means downstream from the bundle rotating means;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the second conveyor and tie rotating and stop means of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an expanded side view of one of the tie rotating and stop means of FIGs. 6 and '7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tie rotating and stop means of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of means for roughly aligning the rail ties transversely prior to their entry into the tie plate receiving and spike setting station;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the conveying means for the spikes and tie plates;

FIG. 12 is an expanded cross sectional view along section line 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing a tie plate in position on the tie plate conveyor with spikes positioned in place in the tie plate;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view along section line 13-13 of FIG. 14 illustrating the tie plate holding means at the tie plate receiving and spike setting station;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the tie plate receiving and spike setting station and pressing station, including means for aligning the railroad ties transversely, positioning the tie plates thereon, setting the spikes partially into place, discharging the ties with the partially set spikes to a press station and pressing the outer spikes into the tie;

FIG. 15 is a partial expanded cross sectional view of the tie index means of FIG. 14;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a typical tie plate generally used in railroad laying;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view along section line 17- 17 of FIG. 14 illustrating the mechanical means used to sense the location of predrilled railroad ties for positioning of the tie and setting of spikes therein;

Fig. 18 is a partial cross sectional view of the mechanical means shown in FIG. 17 in relation to a tie having predrilled holes therein;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view along section line 19-19 of FIG. 14 illustrating the means for aligning the rail ties transversely for correct positioning of the predrilled holes in relation to the spikes held in place above the ties;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the press means for setting the outer spikes on each tie plate completely into the rail tie after partial setting thereof in the tie plate receiving and spike setting station;

FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of the means for controlling discharge of the railroad ties having spikes and plates associated therewith from the moving vehicle at predetermined intervals along the prepared roadbed;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional elevation along a vertical axis of the discharge section of the moving vehicle; and

FIGS. 23 and 24 are electrical and pneumatic schematics for carrying out the operations heretofore described.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of describing the tie laying machine each of the functions of the machine will be described and the mechanical means for carrying out each of the functions. Overall operation of the machine, described with relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, includes (1) placing a bundle l of ties on the input or first conveyor 10 at the input end of the vehicle, (2) conveying the ties as a bundle to a bundle rotating station 20, (3) rotating the bundle of ties to a position less than 90 and greater than 45, (4) breaking the forward row of ties by operation of the bundle pusher and tie dislodging means 30, (5) conveying the ties along a second conveying means with intermittent stops by tie stop sorters 40 into a tie plate receiving and spike setting station (6) conveying tie plates having a predetermined number of spikes associated therewith along conveying means 70 intersecting the flow path of the ties at the tie plate receiving and spike setting station, (7) aligning the ties transversely of their direction of travel to receive the tie plates and their associated spikes, (8) setting the plates and spikes into position, (9) discharging the ties to a press station 150, (I0) pressing the present spikes into the tie, and (Il discharging the ties at predetermined spaced intervals from the vehicle along the prepared roadbed by adischarge assembly 160.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the vehicle is powered by suitable power means 2, the power means furnishing power for moving the vehicle, turning the vehicle, and driving the means for accomplishing the purposes described broadly above. The prime mover, for example, a diesel engine, drives a generator (not shown) which provides electrical power to the vehicle. It is preferred to use air to carry out the necessary operations although other means may be used. To minimize and conserve space the structural support frame 3 of the vehicle is hollow and acts as a reservoir for the air used to carry out the functions to be described through action of pneumatic cylinders.

The operation outlined broadly above will be described in detail under appropriate headings.

I IN PUT CONVEYOR Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 bundles of ties l are placed on input conveyor 10 which is suitably a belt or chain conveyor trained around rollers 11 and 12. The conveyor is driven by suitable means such as an air motor. Starting and stopping of the conveyor may be by manual or automatic controls to control input of each bundle of ties to the bundle rotating station 20.

2. BUNDLE ROTATOR The bundle rotator 20 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. The bundle rotator includes a pair of parallel. L-shaped arms 21 pivotally mounted for pivoting about shafts 22 journalled for rotation in collars 25 resting on an I- beam cross member of the frame of the vehicle. The L- shaped arms are sized to hold a typical bundle of railroad ties. A bundle of ties is delivered into the arms of the bundle rotator when it is in its lowered position by conveyor 10. When the bundle of ties contacts the upright arms the input conveyor 10 is topped either manually or automatically. The bundle of ties is then rotated upwardly and forwardly about shafts 22 to the UP" position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The HP position is greater than 45 with reference to a horizontal plane and less than 90. The optimum angle is about degrees but is not particularly critical. The bundle of ties should be placed such that when the lower, forwardmost tie is dislodged from its position on the L-shaped arms the forward row of ties will, by gravity, fall into position on a second conveying means downstream from the bundle rotator. The L-shaped arms of the bundle rotator are raised and lowered by power means such as paired pneumatic cylinders 23 whose pistons are attached to the L-shaped arms as shown in FIG. 3 and whose cylinders are pivotally secured to structural members 24 extending from the lbeam cross member of the frame of the vehicle.

3. BUNDLE PUSI-IING AND DISLODGING MEANS Means 30 for advancing the tie bundle forward on the bundle rotator while in its UP" position and dislodging the forward rows of ties are shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. Each forward row of rail ties is dislodged and allowed to fall by gravity on conveying means where they are conveyed through the tie sorters to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. The bundle pushing means includes a pair of articulatable L-shaped arms 31 adapted to grip the bundle of ties resting on arms 21 in the UP position at each rear corner. The arms 31 are pivotable about connection 32 to guide members 33 which travel in rails 34. The rails are inclined upwardly relative to the direction of travel of the tie bundle and are positioned substantially parallel to the lower members of arms 21 when in the UP position. The forward ends of guide members 33 are pivotally attached to pistons of a pair of double acting power cylinders 35 pivotally secured to the frame of the vehicle and mounted parallel to each other on each side of the bundle rotator. When a bundle of ties is rotated to the "UP" position shown in FIG. 4 the pistons of cylinders 35 are advanced until the arms can be fitted around the rear corners of the bundle of ties. The arms are locked into the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5 by suitable locking means 36. On retraction of the pistons of paired cylinders 35 the bundle of ties is advanced forwardly a predetermined distance. Directly beneath the forwardrnost row of ties is a bundle dislodger, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bundle dislodger may be a double acting power cylinder 37 on the upper end of whose piston is secured an elongated bar 38 which on advance of the piston contacts the forwardmost row of ties held on the L-shaped arms 2I of the bundle rotator at an appropriate angle to dislodge them and allow them to fall by gravity on the forwardly inclined roller conveyor 39. The conveying means 39 as shown includes two parallel roller conveyors inclined forwardly in the direction of travel of the ties. As the forwardmost row of ties is dislodged they fall on the conveyor 39 and are conveyed by gravity to tie sorters shown generally as reference numeral 40.

4. TIE SORTERS The tie sorters shown generally as reference numeral 40 in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings and in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, serve two purposes; (1 to space the ties at predetermined intervals for the discharge to the conveying means conveying the ties to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station and (2) to turn the ties so that the predrilled spike holes drilled in the ties and edged surface where the spikes are to be located are facing forward. Three or more sets of tie sorters may be used although the number is not particularly critical. The tie sorters may be actuated manually or automatically to let a tie advance to the adjacent conveying means or to turn the ties so that the surfaces having the predrilled holes therein are facing upward. Each of the tie sorters is identical in structure and includes L- shaped dogs 41 positioned to catch the lower forward edge of a tie. The tie sorters are located in sequence so that if, for example, a tie on the first set of tie sorters must be turned 90 to have the surface with the predrilled holes therein facing upward, actuation of the tie sorter rotates the tie 90 and deposits it on the next adjacent tie sorter. lf the ties on the tie sorters are correctly positioned the L-shaped dogs 41 are dropped below the level of the conveyor 39 allowing the ties to proceed to the next adjacent conveying means. The L- shaped dogs 41 of each tie sorter are secured between parallel plates 42 which are mounted between plates 43 for pivotal movement (l) clockwise about shaft 44 to rotate a tie resting on the dog 90 and (2) counterclockwise about shaft 45 to drop the dog below the level of the conveyor 39 to allow a tie resting on the conveyor to by pass the dog. Shaft 44 is rigidly attached to parallel plates 42. The respective ends of shaft 44 extend through slots 46 in both of the outer parallel plates 43 and are secured to pistons of paired cylinders 47 which are attached to crossmembers of the frame of the vehicle. Slots 46 have a curvature equal to the radial distance between shaft 44 and shaft 45 and a length equal to the downward travel distance of the dog. On retraction of the pistons of cylinder 47 the dog is dropped to allow a tie resting on conveyor 39 to bypass the tie sorter.

Shaft 45 is rigidly attached at its ends to outer parallel plates 43 and extends through slots 48 in the inner parallel plates 42. Slots 48 have a curvature equal to the radial distance between shaft 44 and shaft 45 and a length sufficient to allow the dog to be rotated clockwise approximately 90 or more by the piston of double acting power cylinder 49 pivotally attached at its lower end to shaft 50 extending between the lower ends of parallel plates 43. The piston of the cylinder is pivotally attached to bracket 51 secured at its ends to plates 42. A roller 52 may be mounted back of dog 41 to support a tie resting against the dog. Spring 52 extending between and around shafts 44 and 45 aids in returning the dog to normal position after allowing a tie to by pass.

If a tie on the first set of tie sorters is not correctly positioned with the predrilled holes facing upward cylinder 49 is activated to rotate dog 41 about shaft 44, thereby depositing the tie on the next adjacent tie sorter and at the same time rotating it 90. If the tie held in place by the dog of the second tie sorter is not in correct position the tie can be rotated another 90 to deposit against the dog of the third tie sorter.

5. TIE ALIGNING MEANS The tie aligning means is shown generally in FIG. 10 and referred to generally by reference numeral 60. The railroad tie after leaving the last of the tie sorters falls on conveyor 61 which conveys the tie into the aligning means which roughly aligns the tie transversely of its direction of travel prior to entry into the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. The aligning means includes a pair of elongated side wings 62 pivotally secured to the frame of the vehicle at their forward ends. The width between the side wings approximates the length of a typical railroad tie. A bell crank 63 pivoted midway between the side wings to a cross member of the frame of the vehicle has linking arms 64 and 65 pivotally attached to the side wings. Cable 66 attached to the forward end of bellcrank 63 has a gravity weight 6'7 secured to the free end thereof to maintain the position of the side wings 62. A railroad tie entering between the side wings is pushed transversely of its direction of travel to roughly align the tie for entry into the tie plate receiving and spike setting station.

6. CONVEYING MEANS FOR THE TIE PLATES AND SPIKES FIGS. 11 and 12 show the means 70 for conveying the spikes and tie plates along a second flow path to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. As shown in FIG. 11 two parallel conveying means 71 such as inclined roller conveyors, have their input end on the upper deck of the vehicle (see FIG. 1) and are inclined downwardly and end at the tie plate receiving and spike setting station. Referring to FIG. 1 bundles of tie plates 72 and boxes of spikes 73 are placed on the upper deck at the input end of the vehicle. The tie plate bundles are unbundled and the spikes unboxed and placed on belt conveyor 74 which conveys the tie plates and spikes to respective receiving stations 75a and 75b. Workers sitting in seats 76a and 76b on each side of the belt conveyor 74 remove the tie plates from the belt conveyor and place them on the roller conveyor 71. Two other workers sitting in seats 77a and 77b place spikes in the tie plates 78, preferably three spikes 79 to a plate as shown in FIG. 12. The tie plates with associated spikes then feed down the length of conveying means 71 to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station.

7. TIE TILT ASSEMBLY The tie tilt assembly is shown generally in FIG. 14. The function of the tie tilt assembly is to (1) receive a tie, (2) align the tie transversely with respect to spikes held in tie plates above the tie, (3) raise the tie into contact with the spikes to partially set them in place in the tie and (4) discharge the tie. The tie tilt assembly is generally referred to by reference numeral 80. A heavy plate 81, generally rectangular. is pivotally mounted to the frame of the vehicle for movement transverse to the direction of travel of the ties at pivot point 82. A double acting power cylinder 83 pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle at 84 has its piston pivotally attached to the back side of plate 81. A tie supporting L- plate 85 extending about the length of a railroad tie is slidably mounted for vertical movement to plate 81. The bottom surface of the L-plate 85 has an elongated slot 86 therein running parallel to the length dimension of the plate. The function of the slot will be described later. Slidably disposed on top of the L-shaped plate 85 is a second L-shaped plate 87. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 19 the L-shaped plate 87 has on its under surface a ring 88 extending through the elongated slot of plate 85. A double acting power cylinder 89 is attached at 90 to the frame of the vehicle and has its piston 91 pivotally attached to the mounting ring 88. Advance and retraction of the piston of the double acting cylinder slides the L-shaped plate 87 transversely of the direction of travel of the tie to align the ties transversely for receiving spikes and tie plates.

Paired double acting cylinders 92 (FIG. 14) are pivotally attached to an upper cross member of the frame of the vehicle at 93 and have their pistons respectively pivotally secured to the upper ends of L- shaped plate 85. Advancing and retraction of the pistons of cylinders 92 raises and lowers the L-shaped plates 85 and 87. A rail tie is advanced along conveyor 61 until received in the L-shaped plate 87. Sensing means stop the conveyor and retract the piston of cylinder 83 to tilt the tie tilt assembly from a vertical position to the position shown in FIG. 14.

8. TIE PLATE AND SPIKE RECEIVING STATION The tie plate and spike receiving station, referred to generally by reference numeral 100, is shown generally in FIGS. 13 and 14. Tie plates with their associated spikes advancing down conveyors 71 are received in the tie plate and spike receiving station 100 shown generally in FIG. 13. A tie support plate 101 secured to the lower ends of each conveyor has slots 102, 103 and 104 therein extending parallel to the direction of travel of the tie plates down the conveyors 71. The location of these slots coincides with the positions of the spikes 79 extending through the tie plate 78, as shown in FIG. I2. The slots extend completely through the cover plates. Tie plates 78 with their associated spikes '79, as shown in FIG. 12, advance down conveyors 71 and slide across the top of support plates The tie plates are stopped by dogs I05, I06 and I07 normally positioned across slots I02, 103 and 104 and in the pathway of the spikes extending through the tie plate. The dogs are each pivotally mounted as shown in FIG. 13 to the underside of tie support plate 101 to hold the tie plate in correct position for setting the spikes in the predrilled holes on the upper surface of the railroad tie which, when the tie tilt assembly is tilted to the position shown in FIG. 14, is beneath the tie support plate 101. Dog 105. pivotable about pivot point 108, is linked by linking rod 109 to shaft I10 journalled for rotation to the frame of the vehicle and extending transversely of the direction of travel of the railroad ties. Dog 106. pivotsble about pivot point III, is linked by linking arm 112 to rod 110. Dog 107, pivotsble about pivot point I13, is linked by linking rod 114 to rod 110. Dog 116 is normally in the position shown in FIG. 13 and is pivotable about pivot point I17 and connected by linking rod 118 to one end of bell crank I19 pivotable midway between its ends. Rod 121 extends between the other end of the bell crank and dog 105. A double acting power cylinder 122 has its piston pivotally attached to rod as shown in FIG. 14. Advance and retraction of the piston rotates shaft I10 and causes concurrent advance and retraction of the linking rods I09, 112, and 114. In the position shown in FIG. I3 the dogs 105, 106 and 107 hold a tie plate with associated spikes in place. On clockwise rotation of rod 1 10 the dogs are retracted allowing the tie plate and its associated spikes to be released. At the same time dog 116 rotates to closed position to catch the inner spike of the next tie plate and hold it until dogs 105. I06 and 107 are moved to closed position.

9. TIE ALIGNING ASSEMBLY The tie aligning assembly is shown in FIGS. 17, I8 and 19 and is referred to generally by reference numeral 120. Once the tie plates with their associated spikes are in position on the tie support plate 101 and the tie is in position in the tie tilt assembly as shown in FIG. 14 the tie is raised to an alignment position. An alignment assembly is then moved forward. The alignment assembly includes a switch plate 121 on which are mounted a number of fingers 122 which feel the position of predrilled holes in the upper surface of the rail tie and actuate power cylinder 89 (see FIG. 19) aligning the railroad tie transversely to position the tie for setting of the spikes held by the tie plate in the predrilled holes. Once the correct position is sensed by fingers 122 the switch plate 121 retracts and the tie is moved vertically to set the spikes in place in the predrilled holes. Once the spikes are set in place the tie tilt assembly lowers the dogs 105, 106 and 107, referred to previously, open to their release position allowing the tie and its associated tie plates and spikes to be discharged. Referring to FIG. 17 the switch plate 121 has a series of nine arms I23 extending parallel to the direction of travel of the railroad ties and pivotally attached thereto at about their mid points. At the forward ends of the mm are downwardly extending fingers 122 extending through openings 124 in the switch plate. Referring to FIG. 14 the piston 125 of a double acting power cylinder I26 (pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle) is attached to the underside of switch plate 122. Advance of the piston moves the switch plate and its associated arms and fingers into feeling position in contact with the upper surface of the railroad tie when the railroad tie is moved into alignment position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 14). Each arm 123 has associated with it a microswitch I27 (see FIG. 18). When the switch plate is moved into feeling position certain of the fingers 122 mate with the predrilled holes in the upper surface of the railroad tie and actuate the particular microswitch. Depending on the location of the holes sensed by the fingers the tie is moved horizontally to the right or left by power cylinder 89 (see FIG. 19) until the correct alignment position is sensed by the fingers. When this occurs power cylinder 126 is actuated to retract the switch plate. The double acting cylinders 92 of the tie tilt assembly move the tie upward to a spike setting position wherein the spikes are partially set in place in the predrilled holes. The tie with its associated plates and spikes is then discharged. Spaced above and parallel to the tie support plate 101 is a backing plate 128 supported in place by struts 129. The backing plate provides a back support for the upper surface of the tie plate and spikes when the tie is raised into contact with the spikes to set them partially in place in the tie. Generally the spikes are pressed a distance of l to 3 inches into the ties before discharge of the tie.

l0. TIE INDEXING ASSEMBLY The tie indexing assembly is best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 and is referred to generally by reference numeral 130. Once the tie is discharged from the tie tilt assembly it falls onto conveyor surface 61 and is advanced into contact with the first set of a series of upended dogs 131, 132 and 133 which are spaced at predetermined intervals on each side of the conveyor 61 between the tie plate receiving and setting station and the pressing station. The dogs index the ties one at a time into position under the press to be described for setting of the outer spikes of each tie plate substantially completely into the tie. Each of the dogs is pivoted for movement counterclockwise around pivot points 134, 135 and 136 on projections extending upwardly from sleeve 137 which is slidably mounted over tubular member 138 extending beneath and parallel to the direction of travel of the ties. Bars 139 attached beneath each of the dogs project laterally and contact the dogs preventing rotation about their pivot points past the position shown in FIG. 14. The piston of power cylinder 140 is pivotally attached to sleeve 137. Advancing and retraction of the piston of the power cylinder moves the sleeve forward and backward. On advance of the piston of power cylinder 140 the forward surface of each of the dogs contacts ties resting on the tie slide 141 and advances them a predetermined amount toward the pressing station. The ties are free to slide forwardly over the dogs as the dogs freely pivot forward (counterclockwise) as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 15.

l l. PRESS ASSEMBLY The press assembly is referred to generally by reference numeral 150 and is best illustrated in FIG. 14 and 20. The press of the press assembly presses certain of the partially set spikes completely into the railroad tie. Preferably the outer spikes on each of the tie plates are pressed completely into place as shown in FIG. while the inner spike is left partially set until the rails are positioned in place on the ties. The press assembly 150 includes two press plates 151 having pressing surfaces adapted to contact the outer spikes on each tie plate and press them into the tie. The press plates 151 are pivotally connected together by a linking arm 152. A pair of double acting power cylinders 153 pivotally connected at their upper ends to a cross arm 154 of the frame of the vehicle extend downwardly. Their pistons are pivotally connected, respectively, to the upper ends of each of the press plates 15!. Directly beneath the press plates are reinforced crossmembers 155 welded to the frame providing adequate support for the downward pressure exerted by the press plates on extension of the pistons of the respective cylinders.

The last dog 133 of the tie index assembly, on advance of the piston of power cylinder I40, pushes the tie forward into position for pressing beneath the press plates. Actuation of the power cylinders 153 is controlled by suitable means as will be explained. Once the outer spikes are pressed into the tie the press plates retract and the next rail tie is pushed into position by the tie index assembly, displacing the already set tie forward until it falls onto conveyor 61 which conveys it to the discharge station.

12. DISCHARGE ASSEMBLY The discharge assembly is shown generally by reference numeral and is best illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. At the end of conveyor 6] a gravity roller conveyor 161 is mounted and is inclined downwardly to ground level. The railroad ties are advanced by conveyor 61 to the input end of conveyor 161 and travel by gravity down the length of the conveyor until stopped at the discharge end of the conveyor by dog 162 secured between the frame members of the conveyor and pivotable about pivot point 163. The piston of double acting power cylinder 164 is secured to the lower end of dog 163 so that on retraction of the piston, the dog is lowered below the upper surface level of conveyor 161, and on advance of the piston the dog is raised to the position shown in FIG. 22 to prevent the lowermost tie coming down the discharge conveyor 161 from dropping onto the ground. The power cylinder 164 is actuated intermittently to lower dog 162 and allow the lowermost tie to fall onto the ground by microswitch 165 (FIG. 21) whose contact arm rides against the surface of cam wheel 166. Cam wheel 166 is of predetermined diameter and rides against wheel 167 rotatably mounted on a shaft extending between support members 168. When the raised portion of cam wheel 166 contacts the arm of the microswitch a circuit is closed which actuates the power cylinder 164 to allow a tie to be dropped onto the ground. The diameter of wheel 166 controls the spacing of the ties along the prepared roadbed. It is preferred to dispense a tie at intervals of about 20 to 25 inches (center to center).

The ties discharged onto the input end of the discharge conveyor 16] acquire considerable momentum as they travel to ground level and against dog 162. To prevent damage to the dog 162 a cylindrical inflatable member 169 is mounted beneath a cross member 170 to the frame of the vehicle above the discharge conveyor. The member 169 has means for inflating it so as to press the lower surface thereof against the upper surface of ties advancing down conveyor 161 and slow their speed. Additionally spring-biased means 171 may be provided to exert additional pressure on the ties to prevent damage to dog 162.

I3. MODE OF OPERATION Coordination of the various operations taking place from the input end to the discharge end of the vehicle is carried out by automatic means or manually, if desired. Automatic operation of the various assemblies may be triggered by suitably located limit switches and relays which actuate power cylinders to carry out the various operations. The exact location of the limit switches may be as desired. Reference is made to FIGS. 23 and 24 showing electrical and pneumatic schematics.

Referring to FIG. 23 the input conveyor is stopped and started by a manual off-on switch 200. Speed of the conveyor 10 is controlled by a flow control valve 201. With a bundle of ties positioned on the upper surface of the input conveyor 10 and the bundle rotator in lowered position starting of the conveyor will move the bundle of ties into the arms 21 of the bundle rotator. Limit switch 202 mounted on the frame of the vehicle, is contacted by the arms 21 of the bundle rotator when in lowered position to effect closing of contacts 202a and opening of contacts 2021:. Limit switch 203, mounted adjacent the conveyor 10, has its contacts normally closed and is opened by a bundle of ties on conveyor 10 contacting it. When switch 200 is turned on, the bundle of ties is moved into the anus 21 of the bundle rotator by conveyor 10 until limit switch 204, mounted on the arms 21 of the bundle rotator, is contacted. opening contacts 204a and closing contacts 204D. Opening of the contacts 204a stops conveyor 10.

Raising of arms 21 is effected by extension of the pistons of power cylinders 23. Actuation of the cylinders may be controlled manually or automatically by a switch 205 having two normally open contacts 205a and 205)). The 20511 contacts are closed for "manual operation. In auto" position the 2050 contacts are closed, completing the circuit when contacts 204b of switch 204 are closed by the tie bundle, thereby actuating raising of arms 21 automatically.

When the arms 21 reach UP" position the contacts of switch 206 mounted to the frame of the vehicle are closed.

The bundle pusher and tie dislodging means may be operated manually or automatically. For manual operation the paired cylinders 35 are actuated by a four way solenoid valve 207 controlled by manual off-on switch 208. The forward row of bundle of ties is dislodged manually by actuation of power cylinder 37 with a two way solenoid valve 209 controlled by manual off-on switch 210. After dislodging the forward row of ties the bundle pusher is actuated to advance the next row of ties into position above the dislodging means. As the ties are advanced contacts 204b of switch 204 are opened. When the last row of ties is dislodged from the arms 21 of the bundle rotator switch 206 opens causing retraction of the pistons of power cylinders 23 and lowering of the arms to "DOWN position.

The dislodged ties fall on roller conveyor 39 where they advance into contact with the first of the tie sorters 40. The tie sorters (three shown) are actuated in a similar manner. The tie resting against dog 41 of the first tie sorter may be turned 90 or allowed to pass over the dog by retraction thereof. Both operations may be manually or automatically controlled by suitable means. For manual operation, closing of the contacts of switch 211 controls fourway solenoid valve 212 which actuates cylinder 49.

A tie discharge from the last of the tie sorters is advanced by conveyor 61 to the tie tilt assembly.

Conveyor 61 is started, stopped and its speed controlled in the same manner as input conveyor 10.

Initially the L-plates 85 and 87 of the tie tilt assembly are in vertical position. The contacts of switch 213 are closed when plates 85 and 87 are in DOWN" position. Closing of switch 213 partially completes the circuit to relay 214 and energizes relay 216 which operates solenoid valve 217 to advance the piston of power cylinder 126 to "FEEL" position. When the tie contacts the forward wall of plate 87 it closes the contacts of switches 217 and 220. Closing of switch 217 allows current through relay 214 which energizes fourway solenoid valve 215 to advance the piston of power cylinder 92 and raise the tie until the tie (l) closes open contacts 218a of switch 218 on switch plate 121 partially completing the circuit to relay 219 and (2) opens contacts 218b of switch 218 interrupting current to relay 214 and stopping advance of piston 92. Closing of switch 220 energizes relay 219 which operates solenoid valve 221 causing the piston of cylinder 83 to retract, tilting the tie tilt assembly to the position shown in FIG. 14.

In the FEEL" position the fingers 122 (approximately one-fourth inch in diameter) sense the position of the predrilled holes in the tie. The arms of each of the fingers 122 actuate normally open switches 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. When the fingers locate a hole in the tie and drop therein the contacts of the switch are closed. All of these switches are wired in series. Closing of one of the switches energizes an associated relay which operates solenoid valve 231 to advance or retract the piston of power cylinder 89 to move the tie transverse to its direction of travel a predetermined amount. For example, closing of either switch 222 or 223. energizes relay 232 completing the circuit through normally closed switch 237 and operates solenoid valve 231 to move the plate 87 on which the tie is resting to the right until the contacts of switch 237 are opened. Switch 237 is generally positioned so as to be opened when the plate 87 and tie thereon have moved about one inch to the right.

If either of switches 224 or 225 are closed relay 233 is energized completing the circuit through switch 238 causing the tie to move to the right a predetermined distance, generally about one-half inch. If switches 227, 228 or 229, 230 are closed their associated relays 235 and 236 are energized moving the plate and tie thereon to the left predetermined amounts depending on the location of normally closed switches 239 and 240.

If switch 226 is closed relay 234 is energized by passing the tie aligner. The finger associated with switch 226 is located in the correct position for tie setting. If the tie happens to be in that position it is not moved.

When one of the switches 222 to 230 closes the circuit to relay 216 is interrupted causing the piston of cylinder 126 to retract and retract the switch plate. In the retract position switch 241 is closed operating solenoid valve 215 to move (by means of power cylinder 92) plate 87 and the tie thereon to SET" position. Switch 242 is in the "SET" position. When the normally open contacts of switch 242 are closed relay 243 is energized providing current through either switch 244 or 245 to recenter the plate 87 of the tie aligner as sembly. At the same time energizing the relay 243 operates solenoid valve 246 opening a valve to power cylinder 126 to advance the piston thereof and release the tie from the assembly. The dogs 103, 106 and 107 (FIG. 12) stay in release position until the plate 87 is in DOWN" position where it closes the contacts of switch 213 dropping out relay 242.

The tie indexing assembly 130 moves the ties from set position to press position. The piston of cylinder 140 is normally retracted. Through a series of suitably located limit switches and relays the piston is advanced and retracted at periodic intervals to index the ties from set position to press position beneath the press plates 151. The press may be operated manually or automatically. When operated automatically 9. tie in correct position under the press plates 151 closes a limit switch which causes the press plates to move down into contact with the outer spikes of each tie plate. A pressure sensitive switch directly under the tie causes the press plates to retract when a predetermined pressure is reached, generally 1,200 to 2,000 psi.

The power cylinder 164 of the tie discharge assembly is controlled, as mentioned previously, by limit switch 165 which actuates a solenoid valve to retract or advance the piston of cylinder 164 whenever the raised portion of cam wheel 166 contacts the arm of switch 165.

Although specific means have been described for automatically or manually operating the vehicle other suitable means within the skill of the art may also be utilized.

The embodiments of the invention in which a particular property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. The method of dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface from a moving vehicle, the dispensed ties having tie plates thereon set in place with rail spikes, comprising:

1. advancing a tie having predrilled holes therein in the positions where spikes are to be located along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station,

2. advancing tie plates having spikes associated therewith along a second flow path to positions above the tie at the tie plate receiving and spike setting station,

3. mating the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes held by the plates,

4. setting the spikes partway into the tie to hold the tie plates in position,

5. advancing the tie to a discharge station, and

6. discharging the tie with its associated tie plates and spikes from the vehicle along the prepared roadbed in position for laying rails thereon.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to step l including the steps of advancing a bundle of ties along the first flow path and breaking the bundle of ties apart row by row as necessary for advancing of individual ties along the first flow path in spaced apart relation.

3. The method of claim 1 including inserting a predetermined number of spikes through holes in the tie plates prior to advancing thereof along the second flow path.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (3) is carried out by a. determining the transverse position of the tie relative to the position of the spikes held by the tie plates by sensing the positions of the predrilled spike holes in the tie.

b. aligning the tie transversely to mate the predrilled holes with the position of the spikes,

c. setting the tie plates in position on the tie by pressing the spikes partway into the tie,

d. advancing the tie to a pressing station. and

e. pressing the partially driven spikes on the outer side of each tie plate substantially completely into the tie.

5. An integral system for dispensing railroad ties from a moving vehicle at predetermined spaced apart intervals along a prepared roadbed surface, the dispensed railroad ties having tie plates set in place on the ties with at least one rail spike through each plate into the tie holding the tie plates in position, comprismg:

a first conveyor for conveying a tie along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station,

a second conveyor for conveying tie plates and spikes to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station,

tie positioning and spike setting means for (l) aligning the tie transversely to the correct position for receipt of the tie plates and spikes thereon and (2) setting of the spikes extending through the tie plates into the tie to hold the tie plates in position,

a third conveyor for conveying the tie with the tie plates and spikes thereon from the tie plate receiving and spike setting station to a pressing station,

pressing means for pressing the outer spikes on each of the tie plates completely into the tie,

means advancing the tie to a discharge station, and

discharge means at the discharge station for discharging the tie at predetermined spaced intervals from other ties along the prepared roadbed.

6. The system of claim 5 including, a tie bundle rotator prior to the first conveyor having a conveyor associated therewith for conveying a bundle of ties into the bundle rotator at predetermined intervals, the bundle rotator having means for rotating the bundle of ties upwardly about a pivot point near the lower forward edge of the tie bundle to an angular position less than and greater than 45 with respect to a horizontal plane, bundle breaking means adjacent the bundle rotating means for dislodging at predetermined intervals the forwardmost row of ties, allowing the ties in the row to fall by gravity onto the first conveyor.

7. The system of claim 5 including one or more tie sorters positioned along the first conveyor for controlling the input of ties to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station and for turning the ties so that the surface of the tie receiving the tie plates and spikes is facing upward.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the tie positioning and spike setting means comprises a receiver for the ties capable of shifting the ties transversely to their direction of travel, holding means above the upper surface of the tie in the receiver for receiving and holding tie plates having spikes inserted therein, sensing means sensing the position of predrilled holes in the upper surface of the tie in relation to the spikes inserted in the tie plates, positioning means associated with the receiver means and responsive to the sensing means for aligning the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes, means for pressing the spikes partially into the predrilled holes of the aligned tie while the tie is in the receiver, release means releasing the tie from the receiver, and pressing means for pressing the outer spikes associated with each tie plate substantially completely into the tie.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the pressing means includes pressure plates adapted to contact the top surfaces of the outer spikes of each tie plate and power means operatively connected to the pressure plates to press the spikes into the ties.

10. The system of claim wherein the discharge means comprises a conveyor for the ties ending adjacent the prepared road surface and at about the same level thereof, articulatable tie stop means at the lower end of the conveyor for dispensing one tie at a time on the prepared road surface at intervals determined by the forward travel of the vehicle, sensing means sensing the forward travel on the vehicle, and control means operatively connected to the tie stop means and responsive to the sensing means to release a tie by retraction of the tie stop means on receipt of a signal from the sensing means.

11. A mechanism for automatically positioning tie plates on a railroad tie having predrilled holes for spikes therein and inserting spikes thereinto, comprismg:

1. receiving means capable of shifting transversely to the direction of travel of the tie for receiving a tie,

2. holding means above the upper surface of the tie for receiving and holding tie plates having one or more rail spikes inserted therein,

3. sensing means sensing the position of the predrilled holes in the tie relative to the spikes held in position above the tie by the tie plates,

4. positioning means operatively connected to the receiving means and responsive to the sensing means for aligning the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes, and

5. pressing means for pressing the spikes into the predrilled holes of the aligned tie while the tie is in the receiving means.

it t l 

1. The method of dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface from a moving vehicle, the dispensed ties having tie plates thereon set in place with rail spikes, comprising:
 1. advancing a tie having predrilled holes therein in the positions where spikes are to be located along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station,
 2. advancing tie plates having spikes associaTed therewith along a second flow path to positions above the tie at the tie plate receiving and spike setting station,
 3. mating the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes held by the plates,
 4. setting the spikes partway into the tie to hold the tie plates in position,
 5. advancing the tie to a discharge station, and
 6. discharging the tie with its associated tie plates and spikes from the vehicle along the prepared roadbed in position for laying rails thereon.
 2. advancing tie plates having spikes associaTed therewith along a second flow path to positions above the tie at the tie plate receiving and spike setting station,
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to step (1), including the steps of advancing a bundle of ties along the first flow path and breaking the bundle of ties apart row by row as necessary for advancing of individual ties along the first flow path in spaced apart relation.
 2. holding means above the upper surface of the tie for receiving and holding tie plates having one or more rail spikes inserted therein,
 3. sensing means sensing the position of the predrilled holes in the tie relative to the spikes held in position above the tie by the tie plates,
 3. The method of claim 1 including inserting a predetermined number of spikes through holes in the tie plates prior to advancing thereof along the second flow path.
 3. mating the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes held by the plates,
 4. setting the spikes partway into the tie to hold the tie plates in position,
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (3) is carried out by a. determining the transverse position of the tie relative to the position of the spikes held by the tie plates by sensing the positions of the predrilled spike holes in the tie, b. aligning the tie transversely to mate the predrilled holes with the position of the spikes, c. setting the tie plates in position on the tie by pressing the spikes partway into the tie, d. advancing the tie to a pressing station, and e. pressing the partially driven spikes on the outer side of each tie plate substantially completely into the tie.
 4. positioning means operatively connected to the receiving means and responsive to the sensing means for aligning the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes, and
 5. pressing means for pressing the spikes into the predrilled holes of the aligned tie while the tie is in the receiving means.
 5. An integral system for dispensing railroad ties from a moving vehicle at predetermined spaced apart intervals along a prepared roadbed surface, the dispensed railroad ties having tie plates set in place on the ties with at least one rail spike through each plate into the tie holding the tie plates in position, comprising: a first conveyor for conveying a tie along a first flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station, a second conveyor for conveying tie plates and spikes to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station, tie positioning and spike setting means for (1) aligning the tie transversely to the correct position for receipt of the tie plates and spikes thereon and (2) setting of the spikes extending through the tie plates into the tie to hold the tie plates in position, a third conveyor for conveying the tie with the tie plates and spikes thereon from the tie plate receiving and spike setting station to a pressing station, pressing means for pressing the outer spikes on each of the tie plates completely into the tie, means advancing the tie to a discharge station, and discharge means at the discharge station for discharging the tie at predetermined spaced intervals from other ties along the prepared roadbed.
 5. advancing the tie to a discharge station, and
 6. discharging the tie with its associated tie plates and spikes from the vehicle along the prepared roadbed in position for laying rails thereon.
 6. The system of claim 5 including, a tie bundle rotator prior to the first conveyor having a conveyor associated therewith for conveying a bundle of ties into the bundle rotator at predetermined intervals, the bundle rotator having means for rotating the bundle of ties upwardly about a pivot point near the lower forward edge of the tie bundle to an angular position less than 90* and greater than 45* with respect to a horizontal plane, bundle breaking means adjacent the bundle rotating means for dislodging at predetermined intervals the forwardmost row of ties, allowing the ties in the row to fall by gravity onto the first conveyor.
 7. The system of claim 5 including one or more tie sorters positioned along the first conveyor for controlling the input of ties to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station and for turning the ties so that the surface of the tie receiving the tie plates and spikes is facing upward.
 8. The system of claim 5 wherein the tie positioning and spike setting means comprises a receiver for the ties capable of shifting the ties transversely to their direction of travel, holding means abovE the upper surface of the tie in the receiver for receiving and holding tie plates having spikes inserted therein, sensing means sensing the position of predrilled holes in the upper surface of the tie in relation to the spikes inserted in the tie plates, positioning means associated with the receiver means and responsive to the sensing means for aligning the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes, means for pressing the spikes partially into the predrilled holes of the aligned tie while the tie is in the receiver, release means releasing the tie from the receiver, and pressing means for pressing the outer spikes associated with each tie plate substantially completely into the tie.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the pressing means includes pressure plates adapted to contact the top surfaces of the outer spikes of each tie plate and power means operatively connected to the pressure plates to press the spikes into the ties.
 10. The system of claim 5 wherein the discharge means comprises a conveyor for the ties ending adjacent the prepared road surface and at about the same level thereof, articulatable tie stop means at the lower end of the conveyor for dispensing one tie at a time on the prepared road surface at intervals determined by the forward travel of the vehicle, sensing means sensing the forward travel on the vehicle, and control means operatively connected to the tie stop means and responsive to the sensing means to release a tie by retraction of the tie stop means on receipt of a signal from the sensing means.
 11. A mechanism for automatically positioning tie plates on a railroad tie having predrilled holes for spikes therein and inserting spikes thereinto, comprising: 